MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Southern New Hampshire University volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Saint Rose Friday evening in Northeast-10 Conference play. The Penmen are now 11-10 overall and 6-5 in the conference, while the Golden Knights improve to 17-3 overall and 9-2 in league play.

The Penmen jumped out to an early 1-0 lead taking the first set by a score of 25-19. However, the visitors answered taking the next two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-19. SNHU knotted up the match with a 25-22 fourth set win, but Saint Rose held onto an early lead in the final set to win by a score of 15-7.

Despite back-and-forth action early in the first set, the Penmen were able to take control of the frame after a four point run, and build a five point lead at 9-5. SNHU continued to build on its lead, and forced a Saint Rose timeout after three straight to make it 17-11. The Penmen led by as many as seven points in the set powered by Ashlee Daoust (Brookline, N.H.) who totaled five kills.

The teams were neck and neck again in the second set, trading points until the 11-11 mark when the Golden Knights rallied for six straight points taking a 17-11 lead over SNHU. Trailing Saint Rose 22-17, the Penmen sparked a comeback with some help from Emma Houlihan (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Nina McGouldrick (Richardson, Texas) who combined for four points in a six-point Penmen run. SNHU took the lead at 23-22, but Saint Rose was too much, and put the hosts away on a Maryellen Devic kill.

The third set was similar as the teams traded points and leads, but Saint Rose once again pulled away late in the set to take a 2-1 match lead over SNHU heading into the fourth set.

Southern New Hampshire came out in the fourth set on a mission, as the team led the majority of the match. Tied up late in the set at 22-22, Kendra Mikuta (Orland Park, Ill.) connected on a kill, and three consecutive Golden Knight's hitting errors allowed the Penmen to force a fifth deciding set.

Saint Rose took a quick 5-3 lead in the final set, but a pair of Houlihan kills put SNHU back in the game, and tied it up at 5-5. However, Saint Rose continued to attack and went on a seven-point run to put the Penmen away and take the match.

Houlihan totaled a game-high 15 kills along with three blocks, while McGouldrick added seven kills and 12 digs. Daoust totaled 11 kills, and Maeghan Higgins (Hesperia, Calif.) notched 22 digs for SNHU. Catherine Cotton (Murphy, Texas) dished out a game-best 39 assists for the Penmen.

The Penmen return to action tomorrow, Saturday November 9 when they host LeMoyne in a conference match for their last regular season home game.

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